After establishing peace in Imerina, King Andrianampoinimerina decided to replace the ‘Fihaonana’—traditional meeting places used by warriors to trade war spoils—with organized markets. He gathered his subjects at Andohalo and Antsahatsiroa to encourage the trade of agricultural, livestock, and artisanal products, as well as slaves. However, he strictly prohibited pork, alcohol, and hemp within the central Imerina region.
When the King consulted his Greats on market legislation, most suggested taxing all goods, from cassava to slaves. The wise advisor Hagamainty, however, strongly opposed this, arguing that such taxation would contradict the King’s goal of helping the less fortunate and stimulating trade. He warned that the greed of the nobility would drive away merchants and destroy the markets, noting that even in the days of the ‘Fihaonana,’ no clan leader dared to impose such levies.
Hagamainty also raised concerns about the potential abuse of power by princes and nobles, questioning whether common merchants could safely refuse to sell to them at unfair prices. His bold speech left the other nobles stunned and silent. When the King pressed the other Greats for their own opinions the following day, they found themselves unable to offer any original thoughts, ultimately admitting that they fully agreed with Hagamainty’s wisdom.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-01 05:38:46 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/hagamainty-met-mal-les-grands-du-royaume.html